Early Intervention Program
Our Mission • Program Description • Services • Information & Referrals • Parent Reflections
Our Mission: Connecting Children and Families
- Connecting families to a caring community with services and information about how best to help your child’s individual needs.
- Connecting children to experienced therapists who focus on fostering communication skills, social interactions, play skills, and helping children learn to transition, separate, and manage emotions.
- Connecting children to the skills necessary for friendships and success in preschool through fun, small, structured playgroups.
- Connecting families to experienced home visitors who will work directly with your child and help you learn how to teach the skills you identify as important
- Connecting parents to other parents to share information, resources, stories and laughs.
Program Description
What is the Groden Center Early Intervention Program (EIP)?
We are a specialty service provider within the Department of Human Service’s Early Intervention network of full-service EI programs. Since 1980, we have specialized in providing services to families with children under three years of age who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), or other language, social-emotional, and/or behavioral disorders. A child need not have a specific diagnosis in order to receive services from the Groden Center EIP.
How does the Groden EIP work and how do we connect to the full-service EIPs?
The Groden Center EIP works in collaboration with the nine full-service provider EIPs in the state. For a child to participate in the Groden EIP, he or she must be enrolled in one of the full-service provider EIPs. Together, the programs provide a range of services to address the goals the family has identified on the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). By providing supplemental services, Groden Center EI services complement the services of the full-service provider.
Services
What services does the Groden Center EIP provide?
The intensity and type of services a family receives is based on child and family need and the family’s IFSP. Services may include:
- Home Visits – One to two per week to help families promote communication skills, positive social interactions and emotional development and to help manage behavioral difficulties.
- Structured Playgroups – Small groups (average ratio of 3 professionals to 5 children) to develop skills in communication, attending, imitation, social interaction and play.
- Parent Education and Support Group – Parent groups meet each time a child attends a playgroup.
- Community Education – EI staff work with families and children in natural environments in the community on an individual basis or with small groups during community outings.
- Consultation – EIP staff also provide consultation to day care centers or other programs as requested.
Information & Referrals
If you have questions about the Groden Center EIP, you are welcome to call Cindy Akers, M.Ed., Groden Center EIP Clinical Supervisor, at 401-525-2380.
Additional information is available in our Frequently Asked Questions – Click here to download. (To view a PDF, you must have Adobe Reader – Click here to download.)
Families interested in participating in the program should contact their full-service EIP service coordinator. If the parent and the service coordinator together determine that Groden Center Early Intervention services would be helpful, a referral will be made. As soon as the Groden Center EIP receives the referral information, we will contact you and schedule an appointment.
Parent Reflections
- Groden is the most wonderful thing that could have come into our lives. The programs, staff and benefits for our son are exceptional. He developed and grew so much and became attached to the staff. Our lives have been touched forever, our futures brighter…all because of Early Intervention at Groden. A mother from Lincoln,RI
- The Groden Center EI provided fantastic services and support throughout a very difficult time in our life. We truly appreciated the very family oriented approach. A parent from Westerly, RI
- The staff is so knowledgeable and professional while still providing a loving, warm learning environment. The parent group was personally my salvation throughout this journey. The sharing of experiences and support was so important to my mental health! A parent from Bristol, RI
- The program is almost a “prep class” for preschool. It helps children gain the experience they need (i.e. transitions, following a structured routine) to start pre-school. A parent from Lincoln, RI
- The group staff and program was instrumental in my son’s progress (especially in the areas of social play and speech!). I found all the staff members at Groden to be helpful, compassionate, knowledgeable and friendly. It was clear that they were devoted and dedicated to their job and my son’s progress! A parent from Woonsocket, RI
- The best thing I could have done for my son was bring him to the Groden Center and all the caring people who have helped him with a good start. I thank the Groden Center and EI for all they have done for my child! A parent from Providence, RI